ROCKFORD — Business owners along the Auburn Street corridor are in the early stages of forming a business district to lure customers to a retail district often overshadowed by closings and crime news.

Longtime business owner Bill Hoople of Wayne’s Feed Store, 3425 Auburn St., volunteered to lead the effort, at least in the beginning. His business, which sells pet and garden supplies, has been on Auburn Street since 1964.

A small group of business owners has met a few times after hitting on the idea of an association about four months ago, Hoople said.

Not surprisingly, the business owners first came together over common concerns — panhandlers who were frequenting the area and the city’s decision to remove some streetlights to save money.

“We were able to address those problems, but if we’re just there to complain, it’s a waste of our time,” Hoople said.

What the group is researching now is whether they should form their own business association or if it’s smarter to link up with an existing group like business owners in the “north end,” near Auburn and North Main Street.

The stretch of Auburn from Main to Central Avenue is dotted with a mix of fast-food and local restaurants, chain auto supply and independent repair shops and car washes, and other unique retail and service businesses.

Hoople said the business atmosphere is “changing for the better,” and an association could build on that. There have been other motivating factors, too.

Secretary of State Jesse White’s office closed the longtime driver services facility near Auburn and Central this month. That drew people from across the county to the area.

Gray’s Fine Foods closed its Auburn Street grocery last year, but a Dollar General store took over part of that vacant space.

There were also two homicides in May along Auburn Street.

Hoople said he isn’t deterred by that — another reason for businesses to join together in support is to deter crime in their neighborhoods, he said.

Ald. Ann Thompson-Kelly also has been a driving force for change in the area. She led the last business meeting at Granny’s Restaurant, urging business owners to volunteer to lead the association.

Louis Ryan Sr. of Rockford and his 11-year-old son, Louis Ryan Jr., bought some fish and dog supplies Friday morning at Wayne’s Feed Store. Ryan said he shops several of the business on Auburn Street and hopes other people will do the same.

“Every place has good and bad things happen,” Ryan said. “I live on the far west end, and it’s what you make of it.”